Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Mark 4:2–5

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

4 selected · 6 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 2

  1. Mark 3:23Rank 1 from verse 2
    Open

    23And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?

  2. Mark 4:11Rank 2 from verse 2
    Open

    11And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

  3. Matthew 13:34–35Rank 3 from verse 2
    Open

    34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

    35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

  4. Matthew 13:10Rank 4 from verse 2
    Open

    10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

  5. Matthew 13:3Rank 5 from verse 2
    Open

    3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

From verse 3

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:6–9Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

    7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

    8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

    9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

  2. James 2:5Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

  3. John 4:35–38Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    35Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

    36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

    37And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.

    38I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

  4. Deuteronomy 4:1Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    1NOW therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.

  5. Luke 8:5–8Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    5A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

    6And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

    7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

    8And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

From verse 4

  1. Matthew 13:19Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

  2. Mark 4:15Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    15And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

  3. Matthew 13:4Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

  4. Luke 8:12Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    12Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

  5. Genesis 15:11Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    11And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

From verse 5

  1. Ezekiel 36:26Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

  2. Luke 8:6Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    6And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

  3. Amos 6:12Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    12¶ Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock:

  4. Ezekiel 11:19Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

  5. Hosea 10:12Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    12Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Mark 4:2

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

doctrine

↗

That which is taught; teaching or instruction.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Mark 4:3

COMBINED MEANING

hearken

↗

1. To listen attentively or give heed. 2. To give regard, consent, or act in response.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sow

↗

Sense 1: To scatter or plant seed. Sense 2: Figuratively, to spread what will produce a result. Sense 3: An adult female swine.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Mark 4:4

COMBINED MEANING

pass

↗

To go by, through, over, or beyond; to happen, cease, or be transferred.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sowed

↗

Sense 1: Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of sow, meaning to scatter or plant seed. Sense 2: Figuratively, to spread what will produce a result.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

side

↗

Sense 1: A lateral part, edge, or surface. Sense 2: A party or position in a dispute.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fowls

↗

1. Winged creatures, especially birds. 2. In the law's phrase “fowls that creep,” winged creeping creatures.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

devoured

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of devour, meaning to eat greedily; to consume, destroy, or waste rapidly and completely.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Mark 4:5

COMBINED MEANING

fell

↗

1. Came or went down; dropped, bowed, lay flat, collapsed, or lost an upright or raised place. 2. Was slain, died, was overthrown, or came under another's hand or power. 3. Came upon, seized, or affected someone or something, or entered a stated condition such as sickness, sleep, fear, lusting, or a trance. 4. Attacked or set upon. 5. Happened or came to pass. 6. Joined, yielded, went over, or departed from a person, side, office, or former standing. 7. Was assigned or determined by lot or portion. 8. As the present verb fell, to cut or bring down a tree or other standing thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

stony

↗

Sense 1: Made of, consisting of, or full of stone. Sense 2: Figuratively, hard, insensible, or unyielding.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ground

↗

Sense 1: The soil, earth, land, floor, or supporting surface. Sense 2: Figuratively, a basis, support, or foundation. Sense 3: Crushed or reduced to small particles by grinding.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

depth

↗

Sense 1: Deepness. Sense 2: A deep place, sea, abyss, or downward extent. Sense 3: Figuratively, vast extent or what is profound and unsearchable.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Mark 4:1–9

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

4:1AND he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

4:2And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

Selected passage

4:3Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow:

Selected passage

4:4And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

Selected passage

4:5And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

Selected passage

4:6But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

4:7And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.

4:8And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.

4:9And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.